KARACHI: Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) President Arif Hasan has praised Softball Confederation of Asia (SCA) for hosting softball training courses for coaches of Asian countries in Japan, which will prove very beneficial for the game.

“I believe that by attending this training course in Japan, our coaches will get up-to-date knowledge and training of the game and consequently they would coach our local players in proper manner in future. I believe it will be beneficial for game in Pakistan,” said Arif Hasan while speaking to Secretary of the Softball Federation of Pakistan (SFP) Asif Azeem.

He added that SCAs initiative of conducting such training course for Asian countries is good for the game. He further said that Softball Federation of Pakistan (SFP) is also doing a good job by sending coaches and players of senior and junior levels abroad for training.He added that players competing in international level make the whole country proud irrespective of the sport they are playing.

“I am hopeful that our players also play softball and represent Pakistan at the highest level,” Arif said.

He added that POA was in contact with Dato Low Beng Choo, Secretary General of World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) to provide more opportunities for overseas training to players and other officials of Pakistan.

SFPs Asif said that it was the first time that softball players and coaches are getting the opportunity for attending training abroad. He lauded Beng Choo and Secretary Sally Lim for making it possible for Pakistan players and coaches. The training course will be held from March 7-9.

Zeeshan Merchant and Adil Zaman will attend senior level course while Shiraz Asif and Mohammad Abbas will attend junior level course.

Published in Dawn, March 7th, 2018